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Top Tool: Google Reader (Cut Procrastination)
If you’ve heard of Google Reader you might have considered testing it in terms of organising your reading sources. You probably haven’t however considered it a tool to reduce procrastination. This is one of the unexpected benefits I’ve enjoyed since starting to use it a couple of months ago.
(Thanks to Annabel Candy of Successful Blogging for bringing Google Reader to my attention).
See the beauty of Google Reader is that it allows you to keep up to date with your favourite bloggers and content sources without filling your inbox with 50+ emails per day (assuming you’re a subscribing addict like I). Therefore if I choose to open my emails I can focus on those from clients rather than be distracted by intriguing headlines urging me to read more.
Copyblogger, I blame you ;o)
For those who haven’t used Google Reader before you will need a Gmail address prior to starting. You can then log into Google Reader using your Gmail username and password.
This is what my Google Read home page looks like:
The key function of Google Reader is to enable you to subscribe to and sort your RSS feeds. Feeds can be sorted into folders or by tagging making it easier to track particular niches. You might like to set up folders such as:
- Industry News
- Blogs To Comment On
- Podcasts
- Must Read
- Personal Interest
Google Reader can suggest recommended reads and recommended sources using an algorithm that considers your past reading habits to identify current interest pieces, however you will need to use the reader for a little while before this is available.
You can also read your feeds on the run with Google Reader for Mobile. Just plug in www.google.com/reader/m and you can read posts whenever you have two spare minutes. Sitting on the bus, waiting at the dentist? Perfect. Here’s your chance to catch up on reading.
So is Google Reader worth using? The short answer is absolutely.
As mentioned it will lessen procrastination. You will be more efficient when you do set aside time for reading. You might come across some great content sources through the tool’s suggestions. Finally, you don’t need to be at your computer to access your feed list.
Head to Google Reader to get started. If you are already using Google Reader check out these keyboard shortcuts.
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I read this post on Google Reader! I love that it helps me not miss anything, and everything is at my fingertips – no wasted time seeking sites out.
Hi Tammy,
Super excited that you subscribed to my RSS feed and commented! Thank you!
Isn’t it awesome having everything all in one place patiently waiting until we are ready. Google Reader has been a revelation and boy isn’t my inbox relieved.
Cheers, Caylie
Hi Caylie,
This is an extremely informative post on Google Reader.
The time management aspect is worth its weight in gold as you can set it up once and then enjoy it always –
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Christine,
Thank you so much for commenting!
Google Reader’s beauty is its simplicity. I love adding new blogs so that I don’t waste time thinking “now where was that written.” Looking in my Google Reader folders narrows down possible locations from millions of blogs to a handful in seconds.
Be sure to stop by again or more importantly subscribe to the RSS feed ;o)
Cheers, Caylie
Thanks for the great tip Caylie! This is going to help me a lot! I do get so distracted by all the juicy e-mails and I need to get more organized with the content. Thanks again for your great insite!
Cheers!
Hi Kimberly,
As always thank you so much for the comment! I am truly enjoying our “blogging bond.”
Great headlines are kryptonite to bloggers. Brilliant when they belong to our posts. Absolutely destructive procrastination inducers when on other blogs ;o)
That said, I could never give up being “sucked in” by other bloggers’ amazing work.
Cheers, Caylie
Fab Caylie, I use Google Reader but I import the feeds into Outlook so I can quickly scan through the titles while I’m checking my email… it saves me remembering to open up the browser to check on my favourite blogs! 🙂
Thanks for your comment Jo!
I’ve decided not to import the feed to Outlook because I know I would spend all day reading gorgeous posts and not getting any work done! Naughty naughty ;o)
Keep up the great posts on Writer’s Block Admin Services.
Cheers, Caylie